Artem's Sweet Chapter 01-04
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards:
S-Chip x100
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Send Juan Fowler home with Artem.
Juan's home is located in the high-end residential area of the CBD. After entering the building, he quickly keys in the password with the ease of long practice.
The interior of his house is exquisitely furnished and immaculate. It's evident that they're doing rather well financially.
The overall color scheme is rather cold. The only speck of vibrancy in the house is the single wilting bellflower on top of the table.
A woman is seated on the balcony, dressed in a suit and typing away at her laptop computer.
You: (Is that Juan's mother? It's a weekend, and yet she's still working... She seems very busy.)
You: (And this apartment... I don't know why, but it feels a little cold...)
Mrs. Fowler: Juan? Finally back?
Mrs. Fowler draws her attention away from the computer screen upon hearing the door click open. She stands up and walks into the living room.
Her makeup is exquisitely applied, but it still cannot conceal the weariness on her face.
Mrs. Fowler: Huh? Didn't your dad bring you to a model-making class? Why are you back at this time?
Mrs. Fowler: And who are you...?
Mrs. Fowler's gaze sweeps past the both of you.
Mrs. Fowler: I made sure to look at the list of the firm's lawyers when I went to Themis Law Firm to explain the situation to Celestine.
Mrs. Fowler: I seem to recall you two... You must be Mr. Wing and Ms. [Player], correct?
You: Yes. Hello, Mrs. Fowler.
Mrs. Fowler: Looks like my memory's right then...
Mrs. Fowler: Right, what's going on? Why are you two the ones to bring Juan back?
Artem: Actually...
Artem briefly explains the situation to Mrs. Fowler...
Mrs. Fowler: *Sigh* Sorry for troubling you both.
Mrs. Fowler: You're way too cheeky, Juan! Where's your dad?
Juan Fowler: He said something happened at the company, so he left after dropping me off downstairs. That's why I...
Mrs. Fowler: You silly child, how could you just...
Just as Mrs. Fowler starts chiding Juan, the door swings open once more.
A man dressed in a suit walks into the room. He then registers everyone in the room with slight surprise.
You: (And this must be Mr. Fowler.)
Juan Fowler: Dad! You're back!
Mrs. Fowler: Oh? So you actually remembered to come home.
Mrs. Fowler: Is this how you take care of your son? You even made Mr. Wing bring Juan home.
Mrs. Fowler: What if he ran into a bad guy!? I can't even bear to imagine what could have happened!
Contrary to the elegant and poised image she presented you with, she glares at Octavio Fowler and speaks harshly to him.
Mr. Fowler nods at you both, then loosens his tie with clear impatience.
Octavio Fowler: Sorry to bother you with bringing Juan back home, Mr. Wing.
Octavio Fowler: I hope it wasn't too much trouble...
Artem: Don't worry. We're just doing what we should.
After thanking Artem with a smile, Octavio Fowler turns back to Mrs. Fowler.
The smile on his face vanishes the instant he turns back to her. It is replaced by a cold look of indifference and dissatisfaction.
Octavio Fowler: Are you hearing yourself? You're speaking as if Juan's only my responsibility!
Octavio Fowler: Don't you know when his model-making class ends? It's been over for many hours now. Didn't you notice that he wasn't home?
Octavio Fowler: If Mr. Wing hadn't called me, I wouldn't even have known that Juan wasn't home!
Mrs. Fowler: *scoffs* You think you're the only one who's worried about our son? You're so worried that you don't care whether he's safely back home or not?
Their expressions are oddly calm, perhaps because situations like these have occurred too many times. It almost seems like they're not even arguing.
They're just throwing increasingly hurtful remarks at each other, with neither party being willing to back down.
Octavio Fowler: *cough* Oh, yes. I forgot that you're the same person who's so busy with work that you misremembered our anniversary date!
Octavio Fowler: How could you possibly keep track of something as trivial as what time Juan finishes class?
Mrs. Fowler: That's better than you, President Fowler, who completely forgot!
You: (Uh oh. Won't things get worse if it continues?)
Looking at the two people before you who seem unwilling to budge, you can't help recalling what Juan had told you earlier.
(Flashback: Artem's Residence)
Juan Fowler: Yes, Mom and Dad used to love each other so much...
Juan Fowler: Just like... Just like you two earlier!
You: Like us, earlier?
Juan scratches his head and ponders for a while.
Juan Fowler: Dad would always hold Mom's hand wherever they go. They'd always be full of laughter and smiles.
(Present)
The way Juan had described them made these two people before you seem like complete strangers...
You glance at Juan, only to see him biting at his lip and clenching his fists.
Juan Fowler: Why are the two of you like this!?
He suddenly cries out. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler, who are still arguing by the side, freeze.
Juan Fowler: Didn't you guys get along really, really, well in the past?
Juan Fowler: Why have you become like this?
The tears he has been holding back until now burst forth.
Juan Fowler: You've changed! You're no longer the Mom and Dad that I know!
Both his parents panic, quickly going over to hug him.
Mrs. Fowler: Juan, we're still the same parents you know.
Juan Fowler: You're not! My parents never argued with each other...
Juan Fowler: They both love each other, and me...
Juan Fowler: You guys are gonna divorce... You don't love me... You're not... *sobbing*
He sobs, unable to speak clearly, but both his parents have been rendered speechless.
You see tears forming in both Mr. and Mrs. Fowler's eyes.
You: (No matter what issues they may have with each other, their love for Juan still never changes.)
Mrs. Fowler: Silly boy, why wouldn't we love you? Even if we're separated, we still love you very much...
Octavio Fowler: Yes. Mom and Dad will still love you no matter what happens.
Juan Fowler: Waa...
Juan continues crying, unable to hear his parents' consoling words. This makes both his parents forget about arguing and look at each other in dismay.
Artem: Mr. Fowler, Mrs. Fowler, I think both of you and Juan here need to calm down.
Artem: Why don't [Player] and I bring Juan downstairs for a walk while you two sort yourselves out?
Artem: How about this?
After you and Artem have been silent for some time, he suddenly speaks up.
Going along with his idea, you pat Juan's back, hoping to calm him down a little.
You: How about we go for a walk, Juan?
He sobs and nods, holding your hand in one hand and Artem's in the other.
Seeing as Juan has already agreed, there is no other reason for his parents to disagree.
They both exchanged a glance before agreeing to Artem's suggestion.
Juan Fowler seems emotional. Take him to get some rest in the drinks shop.
You all go back to the drink shop you visited earlier, sitting back at the same table by the window.
Juan remained silent the entire way there, tightly holding onto both of your hands.
Juan Fowler: I really don't understand why.
Juan Fowler: Mom and Dad got along so well in the past.
Juan Fowler: But why have things become like this...? Is it because they're too busy? Because they're too busy to like each other now?
You recall the iciness of the room and the way his parents jeered and snarled at each other...
It feels like a bolder has settled within your heart, the heavy feeling stealing your breath from you.
You: Juan, they...
You want to say something to comfort him, but you find yourself realizing, much to your dismay, that everything he said was true.
The accusations they were throwing at each other seem to have been caused by the fact that they're both too busy.
So, saying that they're too busy to like each other now isn't wrong, either.
Juan Fowler: What should I do? I really don't want them to separate!
Juan Fowler: But... But...
After venting out his frustrations, he buries his head back into his arms.
Juan Fowler: I know deep down... that maybe it's for the best.
Juan Fowler: And that it'll be easier on them once they separate...
Artem: Juan, these are things that your parents have to think over, not you.
Artem: You've already done a good job by speaking out and telling them about what you think and how you feel.
Artem: I think... your parents will also take what you feel about this matter into consideration before making a decision.
Artem is right. No matter how Mr. and Mrs. Fowler feel about each other...
They're willing to taper down their quarrels because they still care about Juan. They don't want any of it to affect him.
You: (But, no matter what the result may be... It will definitely affect Juan.)
Juan Fowler: Am I to sit back and watch them split up without doing anything?
You: Nothing's confirmed yet.
You: I think your parents need a little more time to think about what to do...
You: So, all you can do is give them some time and space to think things through.
Juan's gaze flits from you to Artem before he nods in understanding.
Just then, Mr. and Mrs. Fowler walk in.
They both look a lot calmer than before.
Octavio Fowler: Thank you, Mr. Wing, Miss [Player]. We've really caused you a lot of trouble.
Artem: Not at all. Juan is a very good kid.
Considering everything that happened earlier, Juan's a little wary now that he's back with his parents.
You walk to him and pat his head once more.
You: You can't do this again, Juan. All right?
You: It's dangerous to run off on your own like that.
Hearing this, Juan takes half a step back, hiding behind his mother in embarrassment. Then, he gives you a firm nod.
Mrs. Fowler: Yes. Who knows what would have happened if you hadn't run into Mr. Wing and Miss [Player].
Artem: We just did what we should...
Artem: [Player] and I still have some matters to handle, so we'll be taking our leave first.
Octavio Fowler: All right. Sorry for bothering you with all this.
The Fowlers hurriedly thank you two again, over and over.
Juan waves shyly at you and Artem.
Juan Fowler: Bye-bye.
You: Bye, Juan.
Waterfront Central Business District
Artem looks tired. Go talk with him.
The sun is setting and the day is coming to an end. The streets are full of people hurrying along, most wanting to get home as soon as possible.
You gently tug at Artem's hand, making him turn towards you.
Artem: What is it?
You: Artem, you... you look like you have something on your mind.
No, not just now. You feel like he's been hiding something the entire day.
Artem: I'm a little tired. Why don't we head back and rest for a while before talking?
He does looks a little tired. You nod.
You: All right.
He smiles, gently holding onto your hand. This time, he doesn't let go.
Artem is tired. Get some rest at home and talk with him.
The sky has already gone dark by the time you both return to Artem's place.
You stand before the floor-to-ceiling windows, letting the cool night breeze blow against your cheeks. It feels very nice.
Artem walks over, gently hugging you from behind.
Artem: What are you thinking about?
You: Artem, have I ever told you that the view from your bedroom window is absolutely stunning?
Artem: I don't think you did...
You: Then I'm telling you now. It's really beautiful.
You strike up an idle conversation with him.
You: (Artem seems to have been a little subdued ever since Juan brought up how we resemble his parents...)
You: (I think I should ask him about it...)
You: Are you upset, Artem?
He doesn't reply, only gently resting his head against your shoulder.
You don't press further. Instead, you gently pat the hand he has around your waist.
You: (I'll just remain like this until he feels like talking.)
You: (I should also give him some time and space to sort out his own thoughts and feelings first.)
With that in mind, you gently lean against his shoulder. You put your hand in his and stroke his fingers.
You don't know how long this silence stretches before his low voice reaches your ears again.
Artem: Don't you think what you're doing is like trying to comfort a child?
Artem moves closer. A few strands of his hair tickles at your cheek.
You: Of course not. I'm comforting my boyfriend.
He doesn't say anything, only repeating the same motions with his long fingers in return.
You can feel the soft warmth of his fingers. It makes you feel as if someone is strumming your heartstrings, causing a pleasant tingle.
Your cheeks grow hotter as you frantically search for another topic as a distraction.
You: Your hair's really soft... It feels nice.
Artem: Hmm?
Artem: What's with that out of the blue?
You: It just feels nice to the touch...
Artem: !!!
You: (Help! What in the world am I saying now!?)
You: Err, I mean... I've heard of a saying before...
You: They say that people with softer hair are gentler in nature, and these people tend to be more emotionally affected by the things happening around them.
You: And I feel like you've been a little down ever since we left Juan's home...
You: So, I was wondering if you're affected by the happenings between the Fowlers.
Artem: No. They... did not affect me.
Artem: It's just that I already...
He suddenly stops mid-sentence, lowering his gaze and refusing to look at you.
You: Hmm?
Artem: ...Nothing.
His usual warm smile is back on his face when he looks back up at you again.
He gently kisses your hair, and you can tell just how much he treasures you.
Artem: As long as I can be by your side... That's all I ask for.
He spreads his arms and encases you in a tight hug. Your back presses against his chest as his warmth surrounds you.
What's he thinking about? Why is he worried? The questions in your heart only multiply.
But, for now, you find yourself unable to ask these questions out loud...
All you know now is that he needs you, and you are also worried about him.
You: ...
You hold his hand, pressing your palms together like you usually do.
You: Don't worry. I'll always be by your side.
Artem: [Player]...
The night breeze blows, dispersing his love and murmurs into the air.
